The Beacons close out the regular season this weekend on the road. They face a daunting task as they take on the CCC champions and the No. 4 ranked team in the NAIA, but they have plenty to play for as they are very much alive for a berth in the upcoming CCC Tournament.
 
MEET THE WARRIORS: One of the historic powers of the NAIA, and the annual host for the AVISTA-NAIA College World Series, Lewis-Clark State College (45-4, 16-3 CCC) is putting together a season for the ages. The Warriors opened up the season 34-1, including a 28-game winning streak, before splitting a four-game series with Corban at the beginning of April.
 
That did little to affect the CCC title for LC State, as they claimed the title last weekend, holding a seven-game lead over The College of Idaho heading into the final four games. LC State is the only school in the conference hitting over .300, as they hold a .329 collecting batting average. They have scored 126 more runs this season than their closest competitor.
 
As good as their bats are, the arms are even better. They are also the only school in the conference with a team ERA under 4.00 and they lead the entire NAIA at 2.78. There are eight pitchers on the staff with at least 20 innings and an ERA under 3.00.
 
POST-SEASON SCENARIOS: The top four teams in the final Cascade Collegiate Conference standings will qualify for the CCC playoffs, which will be hosted by LC State beginning May 9. Only two of the four spots have been clinched, by LC State (16-3) and The College of Idaho (14-10).
 
The University of British Columbia (10-9), Oregon Tech (9-11), Bushnell (9-11), and Corban (8-12) all remain alive heading into the final weekend. Currently tied for fourth, Bushnell was swept by OIT, and would need to finish ahead of the Owls in the standings. UBC and OIT face off this weekend, while Corban travels to take on Eastern Oregon.
 
While the current playoff picture is clear as mud, the Beacons know they will need to win at least one game, and have the cards fall the right way in order to qualify in this inaugural campaign.